The Chinese/English Codeswitching As Realization Of Linguistic Adaptation

This thesis is a pragmatic analysis of the Chinese/English codeswitching, which is understood as a realization of human beings?adaptation to the general purpose of successfi.il communication and survival in the long run. The core of this study is the generation of an adaptation model of codeswitching analysis and a detailed analysis of the pragmatic functions that the Chinese/English codeswhing can fulfill. Methodologically speaking, this study integrates the qualitative and quantitative research methods to support the presentation of a more complete understanding of the codeswitching study. The theoretical framework of the present study is based on Jef Verschueren's theory of linguistic adaptation (1999). In order to suit the specific analysis of the Chinese/English codeswitching, Verschueren's original model, which is considered as a general framework of the communication study from a pragmatic perspective, has been developed Codeswitching in the present study is defined as a kind of linguistic choice and a communicative strategy that can be exploited by bilinguals to achieve some of their communicative goals. This study encompasses three constituents: the adaptability, the negotiability and the variability of the Chinese/English codeswitching. We classify the objects to which the Chinese/English codeswitching adapts into the Linguistic Reality, the Social Conventions and the Psychological Motivations. The Chinese/English codeswitching as a realization of adaptation to the Linguistic Reality and the Social Conventions are named passive codeswitching, and the Chinese/English codeswitching as a realization of adaptation to the Psychological Motivations is referred to as active codeswitching. The various pragmatic functions that the Chinese/English codeswitching can perform are explored in the analysis of the adaptability of codeswitching. In terms of the negotiability of Chinese/English codeswitching, the Adaptation Principle has been proposed, which is considered as an important pragmatic principle in interpreting human beings?language use, including codeswitching, because communication is a rather dynamic process, and all the choices are made according to highly flexible principles instead of form-fimction correlations As to the variability of the Chinese/English codeswitching, we have generalized the variation that is manifest in the linguistic units and discourse t)pes involved in the performance of the Chinese/English codeswitching, and with the help of statistics the conclusion has been drawn that discourse types and frequencies of the Chinese/English codeswitching is closely related. We think that codeswitching is a natural consequence of language contact, which cannot be avoided in the world of today which is featured by comparatively frequent contact between different nations and cultures. We should take codeswitching as a normal linguistic and social phenomenon, and no bias should be held towards the existence and use of it.